Page 86 of Double or Nothing

“I hope you do. This is your life now, Kat. Our life. It’s what I always wanted for us.”

“It’s what I wanted, too… what we could have had this whole time.” No sooner do I say the words, I regret them. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“You should say whatever you’re feeling,” he tells me as he wraps his arms around me.

“I don’t want to ruin our night.”

“I’m with you. My night can’t be ruined.”

Just as Sutton’s about to kiss me, there’s a knock at the door.

“I hope that’s our food.”

“Expecting someone else, Kitty Kat?” Sutton teases.

“Hey, you never know. I might have groupies, too.”

“No doubt you have at least one.”

“And who would that be?”

“Anthony.” Sutton pulls the door open and allows the room service waiter to bring in our food. I remain silent until the door is shut, and we’re alone again.

“Anthony is just a client.”

“Maybe to you, but to him?” Sutton scoffs. “Way more going on there, Kitty Kat.”

“We’re friends, at most. I swear. In fact, when we had dinner the other night…” Sutton’s eyes widen. Realizing what I said, I know the look on Sutton’s face isn’t surprise, more an ‘I told you so.’ “We talked about you, you jackass. He told me to work things out with you. Then told me he’s interested in someone who works for him.”

“You work for him.”

“You’re impossible.”

“You have a groupie.”

I laugh. “And you have thousands. I think you can handle my measly one.”

“I can’t handle anyone looking at you, let alone anything else.”

Sutton uncovers one of the dishes on the cart. The bowl of spaghetti is larger than my head. The aroma from the garlic bread hits my nose, and I realize just how famished I am.

“Can we table the groupie talk and eat?” I suggest, hungry and desperate to end this conversation.

After dinner, we snuggle on the couch, and Sutton pulls me onto his lap. I rest my head against his bare chest and revel in the moment.

“Tell me about…”

“If you even start talking about groupies again, I’m leaving.”

“Actually, I uh, I was going to say tell me about your mom.”

“Oh.”

“We don’t have to if you don’t want to. I just…”

I squeeze his hand.

“It was peaceful, for her at least. Hospice did a great job, kept her comfortable.”

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